Jetpets Transports First Full-Size Sea Turtle

Jetpets assists in Olive Ridley Sea Turtle rehabilitation program
Jetpets assists in Olive Ridley Sea Turtle rehabilitation program

Jetpets are no stranger to servicing unique animal transportation needs and when we were recently contacted by Sydney’s Sea Life aquarium we were excited to learn that we would be transporting a female Sea Turtle named, “Extra Virgin”.

You might be wondering, “Why such a strange name for a turtle?”, so please allow me to explain.

“Extra Virgin” is a member of the Olive Ridley species of marine turtles. The species are known by their olive-green hue…hence the comedic nickname.

According to the World Wildlife Federation’s (WWF) website the Olive Ridley turtle’s status is considered “vulnerable”. This is due to several reasons including how fragile their breeding cycle is, with hatchling turtles returning to the same place they were born to lay their own eggs once the reach maturity. As these hatchling locations are so specific and infrequent, any damage or change to their environment could adversely affect the entire species. The turtles are also impacted by plastic rubbish, commercial fishing practices, poaching and water pollution.

Extra Virgin will return to the ocean after she completes her rehabilitation period
Extra Virgin will return to the ocean after she completes her rehabilitation period

With such precious cargo in our care it was imperative that we pulled out all the stops to ensure that Extra Virgin reached her destination safely.

Through consultation we were able to assist in preparing Extra Virgin’s travel crate to make it more comfortable during her flight to QLD. We also liaised with the airlines to ensure that she spent no unnecessary time in crate.

Extra Virgin was being transported to undertake rehabilitation for a minor injury at her new home at Sealife on the Sunshine coast. Once she has fully recovered she will be released back into the wild to re-join the rest of her species.

Extra Virgin Is placed in to her rehabilitation tank after her journey
Extra Virgin Is placed in to her rehabilitation tank after her journey

special mention also needs to go to Jetpets’ Pet Handler Kellie, who did a fantastic job of picking up Extra Virgin and getting her safely to the rehabilitation tank to begin her recovery.

If you would like to visit Sealife on the Sunshine coast you can visit their website here to get all the details.

Jetpets assists in the relocation of Australia’s first breeding pair of Caracal cats

Recently Jetpets had the pleasure of assisting in the relocation of two Caracals from South Africa to their new home at the Wild Animal Encounter Conservation Centre in Hawkesbury, North of Sydney. The Caracals, Kato and Kaia are the only two Caracals currently on display in Australia and it’s hoped the unrelated pair will breed once they reach maturity in the next 12-18 months.

Global Moves | Jetpets | Pet Movers International | Pet Imports
Picture : NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The success of the first ever Caracal breeding program in Australia rests in the very capable hands of Wild Animal Encounter’s company director, Ben Britton who you may recognise as the host of Australia’s Nat Geo Wild program.

Ben’s name has become synonymous with exotic wildlife education and throughout his 20-year career Ben has starred in several documentaries and television programs aimed at educating the public on animal behaviour and conservation.

“The Caracals have arrived safe and sound here and both animals are out exploring their new environment…We had a great reaction when they heard their first kookaburra this morning”, said Ben.

Caracal’s are known for their impressive ears which have the signature tufts of dark coloured hair on the points. The ears are manipulated by twenty muscles which enable the cats to locate prey animal sounds with startling accuracy. The Caracal’s paws are also specifically designed for stealth allowing them to get closer to prey animals which gives them a much higher chance of success when hunting birds or and small prey animals.

Wild Animal Encounters is not government funded and they rely heavily on donations and the support of the public to continue their important work promoting conservation. Private tours and animal encounters offer the unique opportunity to meet these amazing creatures while supporting the important work Wild Animal Encounters does.

We wish Kato and Kaia the very best as they explore their new environment and we will endeavour to check in with them in the future to bring you any updates. If you would like to book a tour to meet Kato and Kaia you can do so at www.wildanimalencounters.com.au

Global Moves | Jetpets | Pet Movers International | Pet Imports
Picture : NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

A Special Rhino Move

This month, we’re sharing a very exciting rhino move we were recently involved in with our friends at Qantas.

Mtoto the African White Rhinoceros (yes all 1.7 tonnes of him!) made the trip across the Tasman from Auckland to Sydney (via Christchurch) and eventually on to his new home at Altina Wildlife Park.

Find out more about this amazing move by clicking the image below.

A Special Rhino Move | Jetpets | Zoo Moves | Global Moves

Image credit: Altina Wildlife Park

A New Home For A Southern-Hairy Nosed Wombat

A New Home For A Southern-Hairy Nosed WombatWe recently transported a gorgeous Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat from Kalgoorlie, to Perth Zoo! Thanks to Wayne for filling us in on how this gorgeous Wombat is settling into her new home.

 

“Jasmine, thanks for all your help at Jetpets. The support we received from your people in Kalgoorlie was excellent. This transfer is the result of a lot of dedicated work from Rowena Walker from Hopbush Wildlife Sanctuary in Coolgardie, WA who raised the wombat from an infant to the size she is now and the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

An excellent result as the wombat went straight into a breeding program at the Perth Zoo. It is very rewarding seeing rehabilitated animals making it back to the wild or getting the chance like this one has in joining a breeding program to help secure the population of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats in this state. Once again thanks for the help we received from Jetpets.

Wayne”

Wild Dogs to Melbourne Zoo

IJetpets transports 4 African Wild Dogs from Perth Zoo to Melbourne Zoo!n November, we were lucky enough to transport 4 African Wild Dogs from Perth Zoo to Melbourne Zoo! The 4 dogs, Samawhati, Saba, Duara and Maana, travelled in style in their own custom, airline approved dog crates and have now settled into the new ‘Lion Gorge’ at Melbourne Zoo, where they sit alongside the kings of

Jetpets transports 4 African Wild Dogs from Perth Zoo to Melbourne Zoo!

the jungle, the lions!

We visited them recently, to see how they were settling in, and we felt like we’d just stepped onto the set of the Lion King! It’s a fantastic new exhibit and we encourage you to check it out if you’re in Melbourne. Click here to check out some more info on Lion Gorge.

Did you know that African Wild Dogs used to live throughout sub-Saharan Africa but now are mostly limited to southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa. Populations have diminished in the face of human activity and habitat loss as well as infectious disease. There may be no more than 5,500 African Wild Dogs remaining in the wild. They are classed as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (on the IUCN ‘red list’).

The zoo has plans to breed from the largely female group, to assist in slowing the worrying loss of these animals in the wild. For more info, click here.

Happy (Zoo) Travellers from 2014

This year we helped move all creatures great and small, to and from Zoo's Victoria! This year we helped move all creatures great and small, to and from Zoo’s Victoria!

From lions to lemurs, zebras to penguins – and everything in between!

Some of our ‘Happy (Zoo) Travellers’ this year included Nairibi and Nilo the lions who travelled from Denmark to their new home at Werribee Zoo, Kwasi the zebra who came to Melbourne Zoo from Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand and Feisty the seal, who arrived at Melbourne Zoo from Seaworld on the Gold Coast.This year we helped move all creatures great and small, to and from Zoo's Victoria!

(You may remember Feisty’s story from earlier this year, click here to read more about her journey.)

We love working with Zoo’s Victoria and look forward to taking you behind the scenes of some exciting zoo moves in 2015 – stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out some of our ‘Happy (Zoo) Travellers’ from 2014 in our short video below.

To learn more about Zoo’s Victoria, or to plan your visit to see some of these gorgeous animals, click here: www.zoo.org.au

 

 

 

Exciting News From The Zoo

The Gorilla’s Are Expecting!
In 2013, we helped transport Otana the gorilla from Howlett’s Wild Animal Park in the U.K to Melbourne Zoo

In 2013, we helped transport Otana the gorilla from Howlett’s Wild Animal Park in the U.K to Melbourne Zoo, after he was selected to be the new breeding male following the sad passing of longtime Zoo resident Rigo. Well, we have an exciting update – Otana is going to be a father!

Mother-to-be Kimya is the first expectant gorilla in 14 years at Melbourne Zoo and we are very happy to hear of Otana’s exciting news!

Find out more about Otana and Melbourne Zoo’s gorilla breeding program by clicking here.